New Book Revisits Historical Practice of Mormon Polygamy

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2 Wives 2 Laws: A Story of Mormon Polygamy is an interesting, historically accurate personal look at Mormon polygamy, written by James C. “Jim” Robinson. This book gives readers a rare opportunity to look through the eyes of those who were practicing what the federal courts labeled a crime and what their faith once taught them divine.

Set in Utah, 1880, the story follows Richard Connell, who is happily married to his wife Kara. In a time when Mormons practiced polygamy, neither Richard nor his wife seriously considered the idea of adding another woman to their seemingly perfect marriage. Then, however, their ecclesiastical leader calls Richard to take a second wife. Kara, for special reasons, gives her consent despite foreseeable uncertainty.

Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Marshal William Baker Alden is tasked to enforce federal anti-polygamy laws. Violators faced stiff fines and imprisonment. Bound by his duty, Alden must do all in his authority to find and arrest those disregarding the law. He finds this not an easy assignment.

Richard finds himself in a dilemma as to which law to obey: the law of the land or the law of God. He is further pressed into intertwining challenges of successfully courting a second wife, maintaining household peace, hiding one wife and avoiding an apparently inevitable confrontation with the federal law officials.

In a dilemma of choosing to violate the Law of the Lord or the law of the land, the challenge faced by Mormons in the 19th century was far more than difficult. 2 Wives 2 Laws: A Story of Mormon Polygamy uniquely presents different perspectives of the Mormon polygamy practice.

About the Author
James C. “Jim” Robinson is a journalist, writer and editor by profession. This is the author’s first novel. His career has included writing for the Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake Tribune, The Associated Press, and UPI. He spent a 33-year career in the Information Services Office at Southern Utah University. Great-grandfathers of the author on both his mother and father’s side practiced polygamy. One relocated part of his family to avoid arrest; one was arrested and served time in the Utah State Prison.

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